Bryan brothers beat Aussies’ slam record

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Americans Bob and Mike Bryan have replaced Australians John Newcombe and Tony Roche as the most prolific grand slam men’s doubles champions in history.

The 34-year-old twins beat Dutchmen Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling 6-3 6-4 in Saturday night’s Australian Open final to claim the title for the sixth time and their 13th major as a duo, leaving Newcombe and Roche in second place on 12.

Two more Australians, Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, hold third spot on 11.

But the record for the most Australian Open doubles trophies still remains in Australian hands, at least for now.

John Bromwich and Adrian Quist won eight between 1938-50, a sequence interrupted only when the tournament wasn’t played from 1941-45 during World War Two.

The Bryans lost last year’s final but were always heavily favoured against opponents who’d won just one match together previously, in 2007, and hadn’t played together at a grand slam before this tournament.

The Dutchmen broke serve in the opening game, but that was as good as it got for them as the Bryans won the next four games on their way to taking the first set in just 23 minutes and they wrapped up the match in less than an hour.

It continues their record of having won at least one major per year from 2005.

While the Bryans are doubles specialists, Haase and Sijsling both lost in the first round of singles in Melbourne.

Mike Bryan said beating Newcombe and Roche’s record was significant to them.

“To be a part of history is pretty special,” he said.

“We weren’t thinking about it much out there, but now that we have it, it’s going to be fun to look back on our career and say we have the most grand slams.

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